This season will always be best remembered for the unhappy incident that cost the young Alick Jeffrey a large part of his professional career. The fact that he still ended the campaign as one of the Rovers' leading goalscorers despite only playing in the first 13 League games before his horrendous injury suggests his value to the team and, without him, they eventually finished in 14th place in the Second Division.

The season began in disappointing fashion with an awy defeat at Leicester City, followed by just one point from two consecutive home games against Rotherham Untied and Bristol Rovers. However, the team began to get its act together and put together a run of nine games unbeaten. These included a brace of four-goal victories over Stoke City and Huddersfield, both at Belle Vue, whilst a hugely enjoyagle 4-4 draw ensued at Gigg Lane, Buty.

The run ended with a bang at Swansea, but worse was to follow when Alick Jeffrey broke his leg playing for the England under-23 side against France at Ashton Gate, Bristol. Jeffrey had made a remarkable start to the season with 15 goals in the first 13 League games and had looked certain to become the first Rovers player to win a full England cap whilst with the club, but the injury put paid to those hopes with a vengeance.

Nevertheless, the Rovers bounced back with a handsome win over old rivals Barnsley, and continued their good home form with a further three consecutive home wins, although their defence continued to leak goals away from home. Four goals were conceded at Sheffield United and Port Vale, whilst six went in at Bristol Rovers in December.

The Christmas period was reasonably profitable with two wins from three games played, the double header with Middlesbrough played over Christmas Day/Boxing Day resulting in a home win for either side.

Only two League games were played in January 1957, but one of them resulted in an excellent home win for the Rovers as they scored six goals for the first time during the season. February opened with an away success at Huddersfield Town, but it proved to be a false dawn as the Rovers managed to win just two of their last 13 games, with only four draws.

Their goalscoring prowess deserted them as the season drew to a close, although they did manage to finish the campaign with three players getting into double figures, despite the fact that one of them, Jeffrey, had not played since the previous October.

The FA Cup was a short lived affair as the Rovers were concerned, with the 1954 winners, WBA., knocking them out in a third round replay at the Hawthorns.

Leading scorers (league): Jeffrey 15, Tindill 15, Mooney 10